THE HAY-CROPS. 197 



is about time for us to inquire, What lias been the influence of 

 this teacliing upon the practice of the farmers of the State? 

 What is the present condition of tlie mowing-fields and pasture- 

 lands of the Commonwealth ? Has there been any improve- 

 ment made under these teachiuojs of the Board of As^riculture ? 

 These seem to me to be pertinent c^uestious, as well as what 

 ■we know to-day on the subject. 



Now, gentlemen, it must be said first, that notwithstanding 

 the thorough agitation of these questions, it has not had the 

 effect to increase the hay-crop of jNIassachusetts, or the hay- 

 crop of the countr}'. "We cured more hay in 1855 than in 

 1870. Although there was a slight decrease from 1865 to 

 1870, the crop of 1865 was many thousand tons less than the 

 crop of 1855. Thus we have not increased the hay-crop of 

 the nation by the discussion or study of this question. Again, 

 if I am to judge by what I see is the prevailing practice of the 

 farmers of jNIassachusetts as I go back and forth throuohout 

 the State, I am inevitably brought to this conclusion : that, 

 comparatively speaking, the hay-crop of Massachusetts is of 

 little value, and the reason is this : I find that they select their 

 choicest and best lands and soils for other culture than that of 

 grass. I find that while they take their s-weetest, their warm- 

 est, their best soils to grow the grains and other crops, that 

 any land is suitable for hay, and therefore our hay-crop is 

 grown upon the most worthless and miserable of our soils ; 

 cold, sour, wet soils, which would not be put to any other 

 cultivation, are allowed to grow hay. And again, I am led to 

 believe, by the prevailing practice of our farmers, that the 

 quality of the hay-crop is of no value. If choice, sweet, nu- 

 tritious grasses grow, and they can gather them, w^ell ; but if 

 instead they gather briers, brambles, and coarse herbage, it 

 is apparently equally well. And, therefore, judging from 

 the practice of our farmers, the quality of hay is of little 

 account. 



I am led to believe, also, by this practice, that the hay-crop 

 is not worthy of care and attention in its cultivation. I find 

 any amount of pains taken to grow fine crops of corn, fine 

 crops of wheat, oats and all the grains ; I find great pains 

 taken in the cultivation of the root-crops ; but I find precious 

 little pains taken generally in the cultivation of the hay-crop ; 



